Alexander Suvorov

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov ({{lang-ru|?????????? ??????????? ????????}}) (sometimes transliterated as Aleksandr, Aleksander and Suvarov), Count Suvorov of Rymnik, Prince of Italy (???? ??????????, ????? ??????????) (November 24, 1729 – May 18, 1800), was a Russian general, reckoned one of a few great generals in history who never lost a battle. He was famed for his manual The Science of Victory, and noted for the saying "Train hard, fight easy."

Scourge of the Poles and the Turks

From 1777 to 1783 Suvorov served in the Crimea and in the Caucasus, becoming a lieutenant-general in 1780, and general of infantry in 1783, on the conclusion of his work there. From 1787 to 1791 he again fought the Turks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792 and won many victories; he was wounded twice at Kinburn (1787), took part in the siege of Ochakov, and in 1788 won two great victories at Focsani and by the river Rimnik.

Related Topics:
Crimea - Caucasus - Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792 - Ochakov - Focsani - Rimnik

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In both these battles an Austrian corps under Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg participated but at Rimnik Suvorov was in command of the whole allied forces. For the latter victory Catherine II the Great made Suvorov a count with the name "Rimniksky" in addition to his own name, and the Emperor Joseph II created him a count of the Holy Roman Empire. On 22 December 1790 Suvorov stormed the reputedly impenetrable fortress of Ismail in Bessarabia. Turkish forces inside the fortress had the orders to stand their ground to the end and haughtily declined Russian ultimatum. The defeat was seen as a major catastrophe in the Ottoman empire, but in Russia it was glorified in the first national anthem, Let the thunder of victory sound!

Related Topics:
Austria - Josias of Saxe-Coburg - Catherine II - Joseph II - Holy Roman Empire - 22 December - 1790 - Ismail - Bessarabia - Ottoman empire - Let the thunder of victory sound!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Immediately after the peace with Turkey was signed, Suvorov was again transferred to Poland, where he assumed the command of one of the corps and took part in the Battle of Maciejowice, in which he captured the Polish commander-in-chief Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko. On November 4, 1794, Suvorov's forces stormed Warsaw and captured Praga, one of its boroughs. The alleged massacre of many civilians in Praga broke the spirits of the defenders and soon put an end to the Ko?ciuszko Uprising.

Related Topics:
Battle of Maciejowice - Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko - November 4 - 1794 - Warsaw - Captured Praga - Ko?ciuszko Uprising

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is said that the Russian commander sent a report to his sovereign consisting of only three words: hurrah from Warsaw, Suvorov. The Empress of Russia replied equally briefly: Congratulations, Field Marshal. Catherine. The newly-appointed field marshal remained in Poland until 1795, when he returned to Saint Petersburg. But his sovereign and friend Catherine died in 1796, and her successor Paul dismissed the veteran in disgrace.

Related Topics:
Saint Petersburg - Catherine - Paul

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~